Review of The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014) by Elyse W — 10 Dec 2017

The Hundred-Foot Journey 4 Stars.

There is nothing new or groundbreaking in The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014, Lasse Hallström). There is no statement beyond that which is contained in the story and the story has been presented in the same way in many different forms and by many different directors. The joy of The Hundred-Foot Journey is not that it is different from any other fish-out-of-water, coming-of-age romance. It is in its execution, it is in the superior direction by one of the world's most underrated directors. It is the rich colors and the idea of food as identity. The movie manages to transcend its used and, in some cases, clichéd plot. One can almost taste the dishes as they are served, not to the characters but to the visceral senses of the viewer. Helen Mirren, of course, is superb along with the direction. Hers is not the only stand-out performance, however. Om Purri, Manish Dayal, and Charlotte Le Bon are never overshadowed by Mirren and shine in their own right.

If you are looking for something that challenges or something that expands the art form, this is not your film. However, if you are looking for a movie that is well-crafted and celebratory of, not only the art of cooking, but also filmmaking and diversity, then give this feel-good movie a try.